A SHIPPING container has been dropped on to the site, the fake grass is in, the colourful rubbish bins positioned, and the finishing touches are being applied to some landscaping.
The centrally-located Cowes’ respite area, Olive Justice Place in Chapel Street, just behind Gullivers Wine Bar and Eatery, is nearly ready to be reopened to the public again, for those wanting a place to stop for lunch, to meet friends on a sunny day, or just to sit.
But it’s not finished. This is just an interim measure in the long, long saga that is the OJP reserve.
This week we asked the Bass Coast Shire Council how the project is going, when the park will be reopened and how much it has cost in terms of government grants and ratepayers’ funds.
Here’s the shire’s response:
“Following an outdoor dining trial in Olive Justice Place last year, Bass Coast Shire Council have undertaken further works to make Olive Justice Place a permanent outdoor dining and relaxation space in the heart of town, with thanks to funding from the Victorian Government’s Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Program,” said a spokesperson for the shire.
“Work carried out so far includes the stabilisation of the site surface and the installation of large tree planters and large planting containers to bring colour and vibrancy to the urban reserve.
“The site has been designed to provide a safe and quiet place of reflection for visitors, with the potential to hold minor events and gatherings.”
But it’s not the finished product, according to the shire.
“The work that is being completed now delivers a public space that is suitable for the current environment but will also help to inform the long-term site design and use, which is currently being investigated as part of the Cowes Streetscape Masterplan. The Masterplan is expected to be released for community consultation in late 2022.”
While the shire went out for community consultation on OJP in May 2020, the public is likely to get another chance to comment when the draft masterplan is released, including reference to Olive Justice Place.
“The Cowes Streetscape Master Plan project seeks to build on the Cowes Activity Centre Plan 2015 to achieve the following objectives:
- Connect the Cowes township to the foreshore
- Re-create streets for people
- Reinvigorate the character of Cowes
- Connect the two ends of town, including Olive Justice Place and the Cowes Cultural and Community Centre.”
How can one small site have so much history?
Olive Justice Place was named after Olive Justice, a farmer’s daughter, guest house operator, tourist guide and Phillip Island identity who died in 1995, one year short of her century.
In the 1950s Olive Justice and her family built a house and moved into what is now Olive Justice Place, at 70 Chapel Street, Cowes.
As an active member of the community and someone that cared deeply for community wellbeing, Olive gifted the property to the Salvation Army in her will. Her overarching vision was for the site to function as a luscious public garden and park with a facility where mothers could breastfeed their babies.
The land was later bought by Bass Coast Council in the 1990s and overtime the house on the property was demolished. Since then, the land has been used informally as a carpark that services the surrounding shops.
Many wanted it to be retained as a parking area.
Although there have been discussions over the years by both Council and community as to what could be done with the area, no formal conclusion was reached… still hasn’t been, apparently.
And how much has been spent on the site to date? We didn’t get an answer to that question, but it looks like the shire will be spending an additional amount when the masterplan is finalised and implemented.
Until then… enjoy the temporary, new look of Olive Justice Place.